As artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities mature, an increasing number of businesses are investing in AI initiatives and leveraging automation in their daily business operations. This once leading-edge technology is becoming more ubiquitous and is quickly becoming an imperative to long-term success. In fact, analysts project the global AI market to grow from $47.5 billion in…
High-quality, highly reliable electronic products are realized through many devices and services coming together consistently and efficiently. One item is components; the individual parts that, together, comprise a bill of materials (BOM). Ideally, a BOM would be frozen once the engineering and purchasing departments have agreed on the parts and suppliers, respectively, needed to build…
Tech companies have been among the early drivers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives but in general, businesses lack official performance targets and policies, according to Forrester Consulting. The inability to effectively assess individual suppliers and to measure overall supply chain performance are top impediments to progress. The research found CSR’s scope has grown beyond…
The risk of procuring counterfeit electronics rises considerably during periods of component shortages. With semiconductor supplies remaining tight through the end of 2022, the industry faces a prolonged interval of increased risk. Industry sources have used the word “desperate” to describe the current shortage situation. When a high-priced product such as an automobile can’t be…
Advancements in remote patient monitoring (RPM) mean physicians can get a clear picture of health outside of face-to-face appointments. That’s a crucial advantage, especially for people who live in rural areas or cannot easily travel to doctors’ offices. Telehealth in general has become common during the Covid-19 pandemic. Remote monitoring could further change the future…
The challenges related to semiconductor and other component shortages will be with us for a considerable time, according to more than a dozen manufacturing executives. We asked these decision-makers and their partners about current issues; the impact of shortages; how long the scarcity will last and how they are protecting themselves from counterfeit goods. We…
The past 18 months has proven that the unthinkable really can happen, and the whole world has had to deal with previously unseen levels of disruption without any real guidelines. The pandemic has demonstrated how seriously production is affected when supplies aren’t available, travel is restricted, and when less (or no) workers are allowed on…
Reducing supply chain risk is typically a low priority when starting a new project. Device procurement often takes a back seat to goals such as the implementation of a new feature, improving circuit accuracy, precision, or increasing battery life. But with some creativity and forward thinking, minimizing supply chain risk is possible during device selection,…
Today’s supply chains are laden with inefficiencies, as most companies rely on antiquated practices to oversee and manage how goods get from place to place. The supply chain is delicate — even one disruption among suppliers, buyers, and logistics providers can have a trickle-down effect that causes waste, time loss, and increased carbon emissions. With…
The computer and electronics industry fueled U.S. manufacturing expansion in June but continues to struggle with shortages, price hikes and logistics bottlenecks, procurement managers told the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Components are by far the biggest challenge, one buyer said, with lead times going from 16 weeks to 52-plus weeks. “Processors are a critical…